The play tells the story of Hongli, the fourth elder brother, who asks to marry Qingying, but Qingying can only become a side Fujin because her aunt loses power. After Hongli came to the throne, Qingying was named Concubine Xian. In order to protect herself, she asked the Queen Mother to change her name to Ruyi. Ruyi was repeatedly framed in the harem and was thrown into the cold palace. Later, with the help of Hailan and others, Ruyi returned to the palace and became the queen. However, Qianlong gradually became suspicious and fickle, and their relationship broke down. Ruyi broke her hair during her southern tour, was confined to Yikun Palace, and eventually died alone.
